Preferred Coyote Caliber

woodruffhunter · Nov 23, 2012

OK, I will admit that I am finally catching the excitement of coyote calling. I have lived where I am at for 11 years and have many, many areas to hunt coyotes. I just started to get serious this year and really enjoy it.

My kids are also interested which is even better.

Now to the question. Given the below calibers, which to you like best for Coyotes? Lets say I would be shooting from 50-500 yards. Here are the choices:

.204, .243, 22-250, 25-06, .223...

I have listed these calibers because I own a few of them. However, I am always open to try a new caliber.

Lets hear your reasons....

BOWUNTR · Nov 23, 2012

Muzzy MX3.... Ed F

http://community.webshots.com/user/bowuntr

elks96 · Nov 24, 2012

LAST EDITED ON Nov-24-12 AT 08:14AM (MST)[p].223 Cheap to shoot good to 400 yards and it is the gun I have shot the most.

Use a 55gr Soft point with a little light load, shot them head on and never get an exit or the splash from vmax types. I had a 22-250 it was just too much and spent too much time skinning. Even if you have no intentions of keeping hides, eventually you will shoot one that is just prettier than all the others, or some cool color phase etc. and you will find yourself skinning and stitching.

I have used the same ruger 223 with syn stock and stainless barrell for nearly 8 years. Love it.

Other things to consider in stand. Light rifles are better. Use a gun that you can easily shift from left to right etc. wih out much effort. So bull barrels are usually a no by most yote callers. Also realize that bipods suck to to reposition and as a result most callers use a set of sticks. I make mine out of a tent pole repair kit from walmart and an innertube. I can make 2 sets for under $20.

rutnbuck · Nov 24, 2012

I like the 25-06 100 gr. Couple things , long range and wind! But then I don't save the hides. I have seen a lot of dogs up your way! Keep an eye out for the birds for me.

Rutnbuck

rutnbuck · Nov 24, 2012

I have a couple .223's and don't like on windy days or out past 300 yds.. Using the .25 if a guy wants to save the hides go .75 or .87 grain. Any gun that kills a coyote is a good gun.

Rutnbuck

woodruffhunter · Nov 24, 2012

Great posts.

Rut:

I saw about 10 Huns fly over me a few weeks back. They were about
2 miles south east from where my wife shot her elk.
If I ever see the geese this year, I'll let you know.

If you ever want to shoot coyotes, let me know...

Gator · Nov 25, 2012

.223 nice calm days move up to the .243 on those windy and longer shot days.
Foxpro caller and good camo.
GOOD LUCK and kill a pickup load.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
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cjg_beef · Nov 25, 2012

I've used a .243, .223 and now have a 6x6.8 (necked down 6.8 SPC). I think the .223 is hard to beat for an all around caliber but I'm sure loving my 6x6.8 AR. Being a larger diameter bullet it's not as friendly to the fur but it put's them down hard. I think it just depends on if you save the fur or not.

Workman Predator Calls Field Staff
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smitty · Nov 25, 2012

I have a heavy barrel Howa 22-250 with a bipod that I love to shoot dogs with. It is heavy but it kills whatever it points at. Very rarely do I have hide damage. Running shots, most of the time you can put the crosshairs on the leading edge of the dog and hit it, very fast bullets.

I also use a .223, cheap to shoot, most dogs have bit the dust on impact, but have had a few run aways. Actually, I've had more hides torn up from this gun than my other.

This weekend, we went wolf hunting, and I used my 300 win mag, shot one yote under 100 yards, I wouldn't recommend this caliber if you're looking to skin and tan.......

I live in cache vally, you EVER and I mean EVER need someone to go with, feel free to call me. I've got a foxpro and several mouth calls, I get the twitches whenever I think of going dog hunting. It is addicting!

woodruffhunter · Nov 25, 2012

Smitty:

Sure, lets go! I have a few good spots that receive very little pressure. Send me a PM or an email, and we can see when our schedules line up.

The $50 bounty isn't bad either....

Stubaby · Nov 26, 2012

.22-250. Big enough to buck the wind with 55 grainers yet you can see the impact most of the time through the scope.

"That's a special feeling, Lloyd"

jarheadhunter · Nov 27, 2012

I started hunting them with the 22-250 and it was a great fast shooting gun. It has a bull barrel and is a heavy beast. Not to mention a lot more to shoot then the AR 15 I have now in .223. I love my AR. I haven't even taken out the 22-250 anymore. You will not find a better gun IMO for lightness and cheap to shoot. I have no prob taking coyotes out to 300 yds even though most the time I am shooting in self defense.

I will also throw out there if you ever need someone to go with I am always wanting to go. I have some private property and lots of good public ground as well.

woodruffhunter · Nov 27, 2012

Jarhead:

After thinking about it, and reading your posts, I say I agree with you. I really like my 22-250. I am probably going to get a .223 as well.

With three sons, it won't hurt to have another gun.

BTW, PM me if you'd like. I would be more than happy to show you this area up here and do some hunting.

OLBUZZTAIL · Nov 27, 2012

Remington model 700vssf in 22-250 55grain softies and Remington 11-87 special purpose 21in barrel super-full choke in 3in Magnum with Buck #2s or #4S. are my weapons of choice fo smokin' yotes, I don't save hides so it's all about knock-down power..

Hunting is Life...everything else is
Just details.
Ol' Buzztail...

LOWCOUNTRY · Nov 30, 2012

I started with a 22-250 but I just could not keep a hide intact. Usually blew a softball sized hole in the yote or cat. Went to a .204 Ruger I love it and rarely have to sew up a large hole. However it is a super heavy gun and I mostly use it for bobcat sets. For Yotes I switched to a Remington R-15 which I love it's chambered in the .223 and the Barnes varmint grenades are hide savers. There all great calibers it's just what works best for you I've found.

540BnC · Jan 7, 2013

my favorite is the 220 swift. i looked for years to find the 1 i have now. it is really good. it just punches a hole clean through without any blowout at all. drops them dead in the dirt.
2nd favorite is 25/06. i also have shot the 223 but sometimes it isnt enough to kill them dead, i have lost a handful wounded. i dont like to lose anything i have shot.i have also heard the 204 sometimes doesnt hit them hard enough to kill them dead, but have not experienced that myself.

flatdead · Jan 7, 2013

300 Ultra mag, 190 burger. You wont get your 50$ from utah, and they wont run away.

idahoz7xhunter · Jan 11, 2013

i have a Rem 700P in a .223 and i have killed dogs out to 400 yards with it. but if you dont mind pelt damage a good 300RUM with a 200GR accubond will tear its head clean off.

lang · Feb 18, 2013

+1 on rem 700 22-250

Zeke · Feb 18, 2013

Remember, bigger calibers don't always mean more pelt damage. A big gun with a tough bullet will mostly pass through without exploding the dog.
I've shot a couple with a 338 Win Mag and the pelts were just fine.
I've killed the most with a 22-250 or 243 win but a handful with the 25-06 too.
The 2 bit-06 would be my choice on shots over 400 yards, from your selection.
Zeke

wawhitey · Feb 18, 2013

any caliber - as long as youre killing dogs youre saving deer. hell set land mines up around a gut pile, thatll get the job done

rmanwill · Feb 18, 2013

Jason, which ever one shoots the best for you. If they all shoot, the 223 is cheap, the 22-250 is a little better on speed.

I have hunted many a dog in your current area and used a 220 Swift for years -just a beefed up 22 caliber. Your 223 or 22-250 will do great.

However, there is more times then not in your area that the wind really blows. That's when your 25-06 or even better a flat shooting 308 with a heavier bullet to buck the wind and stay on target would be a great choice.

Longun · Mar 12, 2013

.220 swift......I like it...I like it a lot..and then my ar15...

rutnbuck · Mar 13, 2013

Hey Longun what about your .50 I bet that works. I would.

Rutnbuck

woodruffhunter · Mar 13, 2013

Thanks again for all the advice. I was lucky enough to win a stainless accutrigger at the Expo. It's a 7mm and I think I will trade it on a .243 that's the same make. I'll probably get hit for $$ on the trade but I'll get what I want.

With .223 ammo tougher to find and especially a 10 year old that could have a good gun to get started with, I think the .243 will work well.

rutnbuck · Mar 13, 2013

Winner eh?? Wow your about the luckiest skunk I know. kewl so didn't you draw an expo tag? Good on you cal choice. So did ya kill any yotes?
Rutnbuck

woodruffhunter · Mar 14, 2013

Rut:

Yeah, I know I am lucky. I have won a lot of these raffles. I have definitley paid for whatever I have put in, several times over! One year our table won 3 guns and several other items. I don't think peple around us were too happy, but what can you do???

I haven't been out. I have been busy at work and when I had some time, I have been ice fishing. I have a good spot, I just need to get out!

longshooter338 · Mar 14, 2013

Out of your suggested calibers i would and have used them all and one stands alone in my opinion 22-250 all day however if i half to go to my go to gun its the 220 swift for dogs .
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hossblur · Mar 15, 2013

You have 4 boys. You shoot the 22-250, to your right put the .204, to his right the .223, to his right the .220, to his right the .243, up a freaking dog killing circle, thats how I would roll!

"The only thing that stops a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun"